Ground Broken on First-Ever Minnesota Military Family Tribute

It will be a permanent reminder of the sacrifice our military members and their families make.

The groundbreaking for the Minnesota Military Family Tribute happened Wednesday on the state Capitol Mall.

An arced walkway lined with trees, benches and flowers, including red poppies. It will lead to story stones. Eighty-seven stones represent all 87 counties around the state.

The stones will have excerpts etched onto them from correspondence sent between soldiers and family members.

There will also be a gold star table, a reminder of the tables families gather around to share dinner, stories and laughter. The gold star is a symbol of families who have lost loved ones in military service.

Governor Dayton says its important to have something like this to pay tribute to families now and in the future.